Question

directions finish each explanation for the flow of energy in a food - chain using the words in the box. youll use some words more than once.

1. unlimited energy comes from the
2. energy used for
3. energy lost as
4. energy stored in
5. energy used for
6. energy lost as
7. energy stored in

directions answer each question.

1. who receives the energy stored in first - order consumers?
2. to which organisms is the most energy available? why?
3. to which organisms is the least energy available? why?
4. why is a pyramid shape used to show amounts of energy available at each level of a food chain?
5. in the energy pyramid featured on page 314, which organism has the least amount of energy available?
6. why is there a much bigger population of grasshoppers than of foxes?
7. why is the sun so important to the food chain?
8. how does energy flow in an ecosystem? use the words producers, sun, and consumers in your answer.

Explanation:

1. The sun is the ultimate source of energy for food - chains.
2. Energy is used for life - activities like growth, movement etc.
3. Some energy is lost as heat during metabolic processes.
4. Energy is stored in plant tissues through photosynthesis and in body tissues of animals.
5. Second - order consumers receive energy stored in first - order consumers.
6. Producers (plants) have the most energy available as they capture solar energy directly.
7. Top - level consumers have the least energy available due to energy loss at each trophic level.
8. A pyramid shape is used for energy in a food - chain because energy decreases at each successive trophic level.
9. The organism at the highest trophic level in the energy pyramid has the least energy available.
10. There are more grasshoppers than foxes because grasshoppers are at a lower trophic level with more available energy to support a larger population.
11. The sun is important as it provides the initial energy for producers to make food through photosynthesis, starting the food - chain.
12. Energy flows from the sun to producers (plants) through photosynthesis, and then to consumers as they eat producers or other consumers.

Answer:

1. Sun
2. Life activities
3. Heat
4. Plant tissues
5. Life activities
6. Heat
7. Body tissues
8. Second - order consumers
9. Producers; because they capture solar energy directly
10. Top - level consumers; due to energy loss at each trophic level
11. Because energy decreases at each successive trophic level
12. The organism at the highest trophic level
13. Because grasshoppers are at a lower trophic level with more available energy to support a larger population
14. It provides the initial energy for producers to make food through photosynthesis
15. Energy flows from the sun to producers through photosynthesis, and then to consumers as they eat producers or other consumers.